Tester Bio
I live outside a small town in northeast Alabama. I enjoy hunting,
fishing, canoeing and most other outdoor activities.

Backpacking is my favorite pastime. I enjoy hiking with my friends
and family or solo. I hike throughout the year and actually hike
the least in the hot humid months of summer. My style is slow and
steady and my gear is light. However, I will sacrifice weight for
comfort and durability. A typical 3 season load for me is around 20
lb (9 kg) not counting food or water. I usually sleep in a hammock
and cook with an alcohol stove. My backpacking trips are usually 2,
3 or 4 days in length.

Product Description
The Keeler is the newest of four packs in the Escape Series of
packs. Gregory describes the series as "Our aptly named Escape
Series packs are your getaway vehicles. Made for the kinds of short
trips that keep you sane, their pared down single-stay suspension
systems offer comfort, fit and performancewithout weight and bulk.
So you can move fast when time is short. They're designed to carry
loads less than 40 pounds, and three models offer different
capacities and features for different kinds of trips. Count on them
to facilitate your disappearing act. How long you stay gone is up
to you."

The website goes on to describe the the Keeler as "NEW FOR 2005.
The Keeler rounds out the Escape series with a more full featured
version of the Forester, like the Whitney in the Adventure series.
It offers expanded access, pockets and organization."

I would describe the pack as a mid-sized to large pack which seems
to uphold the Gregory tradition of well designed packs. My test
pack consists of the large frame, bag and suspension components. It
is rather hefty which is understandable given all the features on
the pack. Briefly, it is an internal frame, top loader (with access
from both sides) hydration ready pack. In addition to the main
compartment, there is a top lid, a separate compartment in the
bottom of the pack (usually called a sleeping bag compartment) and a
fairly big front pocket which I always want to call a rear pocket
due to the orientation of the pocket when the pack is being
carried. Please see my Initial Report for a more in-depth
description of all the packs features.

Field Testing Locations and Conditions
Testing was conducted on local trails within a 50 mile (81 km)
radius of my home in Grant, in the northeast corner of Alabama. I
also used the Keeler for several overnight hikes in the woods
within walking distance of my home. The temperatures were mostly
warm for winter but a few hikes were in cold weather. The lowest
temperature encountered was about 29 F (-2 C) as I hiked 2 miles (3
km) uphill at The Walls of Jericho. The warmest temperature
encountered was 70 F (21 F) on an afternoon hike to the holler
behind my home. I encountered very little rain but did hike when
the woods were soaked from recent rains. In fact, dry trail
conditions were rare.

Trail conditions in all areas hiked were a mixed bag, steep in
places and had plenty of rocks and roots. They were also wet and
slick most of the time. The hike to the Walls of Jericho was
especially slick from a 2 in (5 cm) rain the day before my hike. On
the hike in Bucks Pocket I had to cross a stream with ice on the
rocks in a couple of places. I encountered blow downs and other
obstacles and even had to remove my pack once where the trail went
under a log with no easy way around readily available.

Field Test Results
My hiking gear for each trip has almost never been the same and that
is a testament to the versatility of the Keeler. I used different
shelters, sleeping pads, and clothing along with various other odds
and ends that I usually take. For instance, on different trips, I
used a tent, two different hammocks and two different sleep pads. I
also finally carried a full sized tripod for the first time on my
last trip.

Most of my hikes with the Keeler have been fairly short. I started
with several day hikes of around 3 miles (5 km) each with fairly
light loads of around 25 lb (11 kg). My overnight campouts were
also of similar distance only the loads were slightly heavier.

Packing the Keeler
I found I could pack everything inside the Keeler, including extra
winter clothes and my trusty winter pad. This "winter" pad is the
the Hinman from Big Agnes and not a typical backpacking pad. It
measures 25 in (64 cm) wide by 78 in (198 cm) long by 2.5 in (6.3
cm) thick and weighs in at a brick like 5 lb 10 oz (2.55 kg). The
Hinman pad would not fit under the Keeler where I could put my more
traditional sized foam pad because of its large rolled up size of
approximately 24 in (61 cm) circumference. I considered strapping
it on with bungee cords across the back of the Keeler but the pack
is not set up to make this practical. In fact, the Keeler is
pretty streamlined as far as outside attachment points go. After
much head scratching I unsnapped the divider shelf and found it
worked great to just roll the Hinman pad up loosely and slide it
inside the Keeler and then cram all my gear in the resulting
hollow cylinder the pad made. As I crammed my gear in the pad would
expand to accommodate my gear. I tried this with my closed cell
foam pad and it did not work as easily. The foam pad wanted to
stick to itself instead of sliding into a cylinder matching packs
interior.

I did use my blue foam pad on the trip to The Walls of Jericho and
carried it rolled up and strapped under the Keeler with the straps
which seem intended for that purpose. On a different trip to Bucks
Pocket I carried the Hinman pad inside the pack but did carry my
camera tripod on one side of the pack. In fact, before using the
Keeler, I had never taken my full size tripod backpacking. I used
one of the reinforced gear loops (there is one on each side, covered
with a plastic sheath to protect the loops and whatever is hung from
them) to help hold my tripod by putting one leg inside the gear loop
and using the side compression strap to secure it up higher. This
proved to be very stable and I had no concern that the tripod would
come off. I was careful not to catch it on anything when I got into
thick stuff.

With all my main gear inside the Keeler I used the rear pocket and
the top lid pocket for my toiletries, snacks, maps, first aid
supplies, and anything else I felt I might need during the day. I
never did fill either pocket completely full. I did add my gloves
and a watch cap to the tip lid to help fill it. It just looks
better when it is reasonably full.

I usually carried my 24 oz (710 ml) water bottles on each side of
the pack in the deep mesh pockets. I never could get them back in
without removing the pack. I also carried my umbrella here. The
tripod I carried the one time rode over one of the outside mesh
pockets. I didn't carry a water bottle on that side so it would
ride flat against the pack, instead I just substituted a 32 oz (946
ml) water bottle on the other side.

I used the interior mesh pockets for my truck keys and wallet on one
side and extra socks in the other one. It was handy to help keep
these smaller items from getting lost in the pile of gear in the
main compartment.

Alternate Packing Styles
I don't really have a specific packing method but over the years
have noticed I usually pack certain things in pretty much the same
fashion, depending on my pack. When I used the bottom compartment
on the Keeler this changed a little. I normally put my food and
cooking gear in the bottom of my single compartment packs followed
by my shelter and clothes toped of by my down sleeping bag. With
the Keeler, I packed this way only when I placed my Hinman pad
inside the pack with the compartment separator shelf unhooked.
However, on several hikes I carried my blue foam pad strapped under
the pack and carried my sleeping bag and a down jacket in the bottom
compartment. This left the top compartment and various pockets for
my food, other clothes, snacks, and toiletries. I was still left
using the mesh pocket for my water bottles and no good place for my
camera. I settled on wearing my camera in its case, hung from my
neck in the front. I kept it from bouncing by unsnapping the belt
loop and working it under my belt on my pants. I may go back to
using my fanny pack worn backward as I continue testing the Keeler
but was trying to use the pack as it is designed. Actually, I will
feel a little silly using my fanny pack because the Keeler has so
much room I really don't need the extra volume from my waist pack.
Nevertheless, I do need a better way to access my camera and water
while hiking.

Access to Pack Content
The Keeler does make life in camp simpler. I could dig out my tent
or hammock from the main compartment without disturbing my sleeping
bag or all the small gear I kept in the various other compartments.
It also makes packing up the next day a breeze. I didn't have to
carefully plan where to put everything. On the trail I did not
really need to dig anything out of the main compartment because I
had all my toiletries etc in the easily accessible back pocket and
top lid.

Comfort on the Trail
My longest single day hike was 4 miles (6 km) in approximately 5
hours. OK, I'm slow, but I stop to take pictures and rest when I
fell like it. My total pack weight on overnight hikes seemed to
always be around 35 lb (16 kg) no matter which gear setup I used. I
would have chosen lighter gear for a long distance hike to offset
the extra food I would have needed.

My first couple of practice hikes with approximately 25 lb (11 kg)
did not reveal any problems with comfort. I adjusted the shoulder
straps to where I could easily slide a finger under them and used
the load lifter straps to transfer most of the weight to the hip
belt. Then a few weeks later on an overnight hike with 33 lb (15
kg) I became concerned when my right arm went to sleep within the
first 30 minute of hiking. It was much cooler than previously and I
started the hike wearing a loose fitting wool top with another loose
fitting button up wool shirt over that. Apparently the thicker
layer of clothing combined with a slightly heavier pack made a
difference in how the pack needed adjusted. After adjusting the
pack to give my arms a little more room I was fine. On the hike
back to my truck the next morning it was all uphill. I soon lost
(put it in the pack) the extra wool shirt. It was very easy to just
snug the shoulder straps just a little to get the fit back just the
way I liked it.

My neck is pretty big and I found the self adjusting Auto-Cant
harness worked flawlessly. In fact the whole shoulder harness setup
on the Keeler is easy to adjust. The self adjusting Auto-Cant
harness just meant I didn't have to fiddle with picking a width
setting like I have done on some packs.

The hip belt on the Keeler is superb. I usually adjusted the pack
so that most of the weight rode on the hip belt. It is sturdy
enough to really settle firmly on my hips and soft enough to not
cause any discomfort. I can not imagine how the fancier Adjust-A-
Cant system would be any more comfortable.

The back panel was very comfortable. I won't say it is the most
ventilated back panel but I had no more sweat build up than I
normally do. Like the hip belt, it is soft but not to soft.

The frame sheet also did a fantastic job in keeping sharp objects in
my pack from annoying me while I hiked. The frame sheet and single
7001-T6 stay is fairly stiff and stabilizes the load from the hip
belt very effectively. The complete suspension system is not as
flexible as the ever popular speed/race type packs but it makes up
for that in overall comfort.

Durability Thus Far
This pack is made of some pretty hefty materials and while no pack
is "bomb proof" this pack fits that moniker thrown around when
describing heavy duty gear pretty well. I did not intentionally
abuse the Keeler but it did see some tough trail conditions and
handled it all with ease. Even the side mesh pockets did not tear
despite hanging them on brush etc several times. The tote handle
held up while swinging the pack on and while putting it in my
truck. All zippers are still functioning flawlessly but honestly, I
never did cram the pack to the maximum to stress them. So far a
quick wipe with a wet wash cloth has worked in removing the mud and
trail grime from the pack.

Future Testing
As winter fades into spring I anticipate getting out even more. I
will not need the Hinman pad so will most likely use my blue foam
pad. This will make loading the Keeler to capacity a challenge but
maybe I will be able to take a few longer hikes and carry more
food. Regardless, I will continue to monitor the pack for any signs
of failure. I have already convinced myself that the Keeler is a
very comfortable and versatile pack. I will continue to look for
better ways to pack my water and camera.